Manchester City backed to make winning Champions League start at Porto

Manchester City are being tipped to begin their Champions League campaign with victory at FC Porto, with a price of 1.75 offered on an away win on Tuesday, 8 September 2026.

The match at Estadio do Dragao will mark Porto’s return to the Champions League after a two-edition absence. The Portuguese champions have started the new domestic season strongly under Francesco Farioli, while Manchester City arrive with three wins from three Premier League matches under new manager Enzo Maresca.

Mahamad Sangare, presenter of the sports debate programme La VAR on Burkina info TV, has given his assessment and betting predictions for the game.

Porto won the Portuguese title last season – their 31st championship and first in four years – finishing six points ahead of runners-up Sporting. They were later eliminated by Nottingham Forest in the Europa League quarter-finals, losing 2-1 on aggregate.

Their defence of the domestic title has begun positively. Porto beat Alverca 2-0, Rio Ave 2-0, Arouca 2-0 and Academico Viseu 3-0 in their opening four Liga Portugal matches. They then recorded a 2-1 victory over Moreirense on Friday, according to the preview, to preserve their place at the top of the table. The article also describes that result as a fifth consecutive league win, while a statistical assessment says Porto have scored four goals since the start of the championship.

Manchester City’s opening three Premier League games have also produced maximum points. They defeated Bournemouth 2-1, beat Crystal Palace 4-1 and then overcame newly promoted Coventry City 1-0 at the weekend, with Erling Haaland scoring the only goal.

City are beginning a new era after Pep Guardiola’s departure, with Maresca taking charge of a side that finished second in the Premier League last season. Their European campaign ended in the last 16 of the Champions League, where they lost 5-1 on aggregate to Real Madrid.

The two clubs last met in the 2020-21 Champions League group stage. City won 3-1 at home before Porto held them to a 0-0 draw in Portugal.

Team news and key players

Porto are expected to be without forward Samu, who scored 13 goals in 20 league appearances last season and has been sidelined for several weeks. Midfielders Sousa and Seko Fofana, together with Poland forward Pietuszewski, who contributed three goals and two assists last term, are also set to miss the match because of injuries.

Porto can nevertheless call on several important players who remained at the club during the summer. Sainz scored five league goals and supplied three assists last season, while Froholdt contributed six goals and six assists. Gomes scored eight times.

Gabri Veiga has made the most impressive start this term, with three goals and two assists in the league.

Porto strengthened their squad with loan arrivals Souza from Tottenham, Gimenez from AC Milan and Seko Fofana from Rennes. They also signed Andre Silva from Elche, Kiwior from Arsenal and Hwang from Feyenoord on permanent deals.

The club were unable to keep young prospect Mora, who joined AS Roma. Ivan Jaime moved to Las Palmas, Eustaquio to Swansea and Gul to Galatasaray.

Manchester City are expected to be without Matheus Nunes and Doku. The full-back, who had been in contention for a starting place, and the winger, an important member of the squad, are both recovering from injuries.

Cherki has begun the season in strong form, scoring twice and providing two assists in the Premier League. He is expected to become a key part of Maresca’s system alongside Haaland, who already has two league goals. Foden has supplied two assists, while Semenyo has one, and both could operate in wide positions.

City’s summer departures included Akanji, who joined Inter Milan permanently after a loan spell there. Goalkeeper Trafford moved to Leeds, while Ake and Stones joined Fenerbahce and Inter respectively. Rodri, Nico, Reijnders and Bernardo Silva left for Barcelona, Newcastle, Al-Qadsiah and Real Madrid.

Savio joined Tottenham, Grealish moved to Everton and Marmoush also signed for Tottenham.

City recruited Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea, Anderson from Nottingham Forest and Bouaddi from Lille. Ndiaye arrived from Everton, while Allan joined from Palmeiras and Rulli moved from OM. Those two latter additions may face a greater challenge to establish themselves in Maresca’s starting XI.

Betting prediction

The recommended selection is a Manchester City win at 1.75, with the preview arguing that their early-season form and squad depth could allow them to make an impact in Porto.

Haaland is priced at 1.74 to score. The Norway striker is expected to lead the attack and is described as having scored three goals in three matches at the start of the season.

A further prediction is that City will win at least one half, priced at 1.45. The assessment is based on their squad quality and ambitions in the competition.

Both teams to score is offered at 1.62. While City are expected to have the advantage, Porto’s home support is considered capable of helping the Portuguese side find the net.

The other statistical betting options listed are over 1.5 total goals at 1.66 and both teams not to score in the first half at 1.21.

Odds may change.